1. Turn Up The Volume

It's a fact: big hair equals high glamour. "It's great for the party season because it's a change from most people's more subdued day-to-day styles – big hair looks different, it's sexier, and if it's a new look for you, people will notice," says hairdresser and Goldwell ambassador Shane Henning. But while some of us are blessed with bountiful lengths, others need more assistance to fake a fabulous 'do. Tony Pearce, Pantene specialist trichologist, says it's possible to create volume in flat hair by
"increasing protein and other essential nutrients [in your diet], boosting your body's hydration by drinking water, and using volumising haircare and styling products". Your chosen colour can also help boost flagging strands. "Using blonde tints or lightening hair using foils in varying tones such as chestnut, caramel and blonde will create body, movement and lustre in the hair," explains Belinda Jeffrey, celebrity colourist and Nice'n Easy ambassador.

2. Show Off Shine

Glossy strands look luxurious and polished no matter what the occasion, but to get the look for a big night, you'll need to start the preparations early. "Diet and optimal metabolic function are essential internal considerations for achieving shiny hair, while quality products are excellent aids," points out Pearce. Henning agrees: "If your hair is coarse, dry, coloured or sun-damaged, you'll need to use a rich, hydrating shampoo and conditioner. But if you have fine or soft hair, it's advisable to use only very light products." After washing and treating your lengths, Pearce recommends using a silicone shine-enhancing product for special occasions, but warns that a light spray is all you need.

Brilliant ideas

Another way to achieve a shimmering style is with a new shade. At the salon, Jeffrey recommends asking for a gloss treatment, which can be either coloured or clear. "These products add overall shine and really bring out the colour," she explains. Prefer to DIY? Jeffrey suggests looking for options with a low ammonia content, which means the colour coats each hair follicle, creating super shine. If you're not ready to change colour, why not try a colour-free gloss at home with a product like Fekkai Salon Glaze Clear Shine Rinse, $50.

3. Master Movement

Take your look from desk to dance floor with some sexy, tousled waves. "To add curl, an easy trick is to pop some velcro rollers in 5cm sections all over your head while hair is still warm [from blow-drying] and letting it cool down while you do your make-up. Then, take out the rollers and ruffle hair with your hands, but don't brush out," says Henning. Alternatively, he suggests wrapping sections of hair around a curling tong and holding for about five seconds before letting go. "It's best not to curl all your hair, just some sections, and it's better if the curl has a dropped-out look, as if you haven't tried too hard," he explains. "For a slightly lived-in feel, make sure you break up the curl with your fingers and shake your head to loosen the look." Protect your hair with a heat-protection spray before using hot irons, then seal the look after curling with a volume-enhancing hairspray for a glamorous, long-lasting finish.

The Big Blow-Dry

Henning shares his secrets for achieving a voluptuous 'do:
1. First, apply a root-support product or blow-dry lotion to damp hair.
2. Blast hair dry, using your hands to lift hair at the roots – it helps to put your head upside down.
3. Finish drying using a round brush to smooth out the ends, making sure not to flatten the volume that you've just created at the roots.
4. Consider using velcro rollers after drying while your hair is still warm – leave them in until the hair cools, then remove and brush your lengths.
5. A gloss spray will add hold and glam up the look for evening.